The present era of Indian movies can easily be deemed the ‘new golden age’ of cinema for the country.
The new-found sense of awareness within the minds of the younger audiences of the country, who basically hold the power to make or break a project, has not only given rise to content-driven quality cinema – but has also pushed filmmakers to give opportunities to real talents, instead of constantly chasing vanity.
In simpler words – talents like Sanjay Mishra, Neena Gupta, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Tilotimma Shome, Radhika Apte, among several others, have managed to find success and recognition within the masses, which is strikingly in-contrast with the Indian cinema of some 20 years ago – when being a leading actor or actress meant, being required to look like a supermodel.
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Speaking on this change and her past struggles with the industry, that has gone into oblivion now, actress Seema Pahwa recently spoke her heart out on the matter.
The talented performer, who’s appeared in movies like ‘Bareily Ki Barfi’ and ‘Ankho Dekhi’ spoke with Indiatimes and reflected at the kind of discrimination, that actors like herself faced in the past.
Here’s what she was quoted telling by the publication:
“When we talk about so-called commercial films which have stars, I didn’t get work in those films. And even if I used to get roles, those were either smaller roles, or servant roles, where I had to just serve tea, coffee in the frame and then go back. ”
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Seema stated that there was a lot of rejection for actors who were dark-skinned and looked like ‘ordinary people’, and they were always denied entry in mainstream Bollywood, particularly when it came to leading roles.
“They all wanted to cast fair complexion and glowing skin individuals even if it was for a smaller roles,” she stated. “So yes, that was a big struggle. Later, I let go of my interest in Bollywood because I knew I won’t get work here. Then I focused on TV and theatre.”
Seema does co-sign with our sentiment, that times have changed now in the industry – with modern-age cinema, creating vacancies for a diverse pack of talented artists.
“Today things have changed and we are here, our presence is felt, now people ask us, aap itne saalo mai kaha thi, what can I say, we were here only, but nobody paid attention to us.”
Great to always see real art and artists finding their way in what is largely just looked-upon as ‘business.’
The chase for looks and vanity has slowly disappeared, as viewers have started taking interest in small-town, realistic stories, in which an actor’s talent is needed a lot more than their gym-toned physiques.
Don’t forget to watch the trailer for Seema’s directorial debut, Ram Prasad Ki Tehrvi below:
Let us continue to celebrate and support talent.